Sunday, April 23, 2017
How many of you able bodied could do this
On Wednesday of our patients put on a little show for us. Pretty impressive from many points of view.
Proximo ano
It is hard to describe the last days in Peru. The team is tired. Yes, we are simultaneously tired from working and playing hard.....none of us would ever be accused of not living life to the fullest. We are working to finish up patient's prostheses, trying hard to leave no one undone.
This year went amazingly efficiently. We fit 67 devices to 65 patients. We were able to get most patient up by Wednesday and by Friday everyone was fit 2x. This is amazing and comforting by our own standards.
As we roam about Carrion hospital's PT gyms attending to patient's needs, we are constantly being pulled in a multitude of directions....photo por favor....un photo... can you look at _____, ...or ______ needs, has a problem with _______. Fortunately, this year our team approach helped out tremendously. All patients were assigned to specific Prosthetists and Physical Therapists. Viva equipa azul!!!
On Friday after an amazing breakfast and finalizing patient adjustments, the hospital puts on a little recognition ceremony. People give speeches and recognize contributions from everyone involved. It is often very touching and heart warming.....nary a dry eye in the room by the end, which the slowly erupts into a dance party. By the end there are endless pictures, hugs.
It is simply an amazing thing to be able to Dream and to Work with these Peruvians; to join together and make the world the way we see it; the way it should be.
See you next year
Pablo
This year went amazingly efficiently. We fit 67 devices to 65 patients. We were able to get most patient up by Wednesday and by Friday everyone was fit 2x. This is amazing and comforting by our own standards.
As we roam about Carrion hospital's PT gyms attending to patient's needs, we are constantly being pulled in a multitude of directions....photo por favor....un photo... can you look at _____, ...or ______ needs, has a problem with _______. Fortunately, this year our team approach helped out tremendously. All patients were assigned to specific Prosthetists and Physical Therapists. Viva equipa azul!!!
On Friday after an amazing breakfast and finalizing patient adjustments, the hospital puts on a little recognition ceremony. People give speeches and recognize contributions from everyone involved. It is often very touching and heart warming.....nary a dry eye in the room by the end, which the slowly erupts into a dance party. By the end there are endless pictures, hugs.
It is simply an amazing thing to be able to Dream and to Work with these Peruvians; to join together and make the world the way we see it; the way it should be.
See you next year
Pablo
Friday, April 21, 2017
Thursday, April 20, 2017
Wednesday, April 19, 2017
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
Dias Tres
Day 3 is consistently now a difficult and long day. There is a lot of work prosthetically to get everyone molded and fit. My hands are tired and weak. There are sore knees, aching backs and shoulders.
Today, similar to yesterday, things went really smoothly. As a group we were able to get through all of our patients and finish before 7pm. My hope is that this will prove out to better and more successful fittings all around....a sign of things to come, if you will.
Dos and I are currently sharing patients that span an extremely wide range. The oldest is 64. The youngest is 8. Their needs and desires are widely varied.
Tomorrow should prove equally challenging and with a little luck, equally successful.
Buenos Noches
Pablo
Today, similar to yesterday, things went really smoothly. As a group we were able to get through all of our patients and finish before 7pm. My hope is that this will prove out to better and more successful fittings all around....a sign of things to come, if you will.
Dos and I are currently sharing patients that span an extremely wide range. The oldest is 64. The youngest is 8. Their needs and desires are widely varied.
Tomorrow should prove equally challenging and with a little luck, equally successful.
Buenos Noches
Pablo
Monday, April 17, 2017
Dias Dos
Yes, today was as good or even better than I thought it would be. Old friends reunited and new friends discovered.
Dos ( Steve Daley) and me saw 21 patients; assessing and evaluating for fit and potentials needs. I have repeated to many today that the day was surprisingly smooth. We had the benefit of Eric Smullen PT from Hartford Healthcare assisting us with our evaluations. While we always have PTs around; we have never tapped them as a part of the evaluation process.
I hope that some of you are thinking....duh....why the heck not. That's a no brainer.
His perspective was similar but still unique. His questions and considerations.....I simply thought....."yeah, I want to know that too....whatever he said."
Complete pictures of what we are up against are the best way to prepare and ensure success.
If today was any indication of tomorrow....tomorrow will belong, tiresome but equally awesome.
Still, and for many days to come....I can' wait to see what tomorrow brings.
Buenos Noches
Pablo
Dos ( Steve Daley) and me saw 21 patients; assessing and evaluating for fit and potentials needs. I have repeated to many today that the day was surprisingly smooth. We had the benefit of Eric Smullen PT from Hartford Healthcare assisting us with our evaluations. While we always have PTs around; we have never tapped them as a part of the evaluation process.
I hope that some of you are thinking....duh....why the heck not. That's a no brainer.
His perspective was similar but still unique. His questions and considerations.....I simply thought....."yeah, I want to know that too....whatever he said."
Complete pictures of what we are up against are the best way to prepare and ensure success.
If today was any indication of tomorrow....tomorrow will belong, tiresome but equally awesome.
Still, and for many days to come....I can' wait to see what tomorrow brings.
Buenos Noches
Pablo
Sunday, April 16, 2017
Day Uno
Hard to describe the first day. It isn't a day of typical work. It is Easter. It is a time of new beginnings.
As a testament to new beginnings, I am in Peru on Day Uno. Those of you that followed us last year know that I was stuck in Hot-Lanta for a touch too long last year.
Since it is Sunday, there are no patients to see. It is simply time for the team to hang and enjoy a bit of Peru.
Sunday began at our favorite Sunday Brunch stop. Personally, I couldn't get enough Ceviche. Al said it was the octopus that truly had a hold on me.
Shopping was followed by some much needed time at the beach. We all got to see Dos enjoy the Pacific Ocean.....
For those that don't know, we have 2 Steve's on our trip. Numero Uno we call Esteban. Numerous Dos.....we call.....Dos
Dinner was a typical Peruvian hibachi grill. Dr. Mary was able to join us for dinner, which was a real treat. Dr. Mary is like a saint, in my book. She clearly represents all that is good in this world. Her only goal is to serve and educate those in need of rehabilitation.
Is it possible to simply bottle someone up and sprinkle a little bit of them wherever you go?
I can't wait for tomorrow. Familiar faces...sights and smells that smack of Daniel Carrion Hospital. Long lost friends that we only get to see once per yer. Hugs that squeeze your breath away....and then...... some 64 faces of patients waiting for.....hope, worry, an opportunity , a chance, a friend, some comfort, some understanding, some return of control of their own lives.
I can't wait for tomorrow.
Pablo
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It is hard to describe the last days in Peru. The team is tired. Yes, we are simultaneously tired from working and playing hard.....none o...
